Nokia Normandy Android-Powered Smartphone Leaks Again in More Colors

We reported earlier this month Nokia's first Android-powered smartphone, codename Normandy, may be released next year regardless of the company's takeover by Microsoft.

The first press shot of the Nokia Normandy leaked along with the information the smartphone is no doubt a certainty and that the Finnish company is close to completing the project. Unfortunately, a few weeks later new details emerged pointing to a possible canceling of the project due to Nokia / Microsoft deal.

Anyway, the smartphone appeared once again online via @evleaks, this time in multiple colors: black, cyan, yellow, white and green. We will probably know more on Nokia Normandy next year, when the Finnish company is rumored to announce its next lineup of smartphones and feature phones. Stay tuned for more details on this one.

Nokia Normandy
Image credits to @evleaks

Read more »

Sony Xperia D200X, D210X, D230X and SGP521 Models Show Up Online

Sony fans rejoice, as their favorite brand has lots of new products to reveal in the next couple of months. We reported last week on a set of four unannounced Xperia models which we expect to be unveiled at CES and MWC 2014 and now details on more Xperia handsets emerged online.

The folks over at XperiaBlog have just uncovered three new model numbers, which have popped up at Postel, the Indonesian Regulatory website. The new devices from Postel are codenamed D2005, D2105 and SGP521, while the D2303 appeared recently AnTuTu benchmark. Unfortunately, details on the smartphones' specs are unavailable for the moment, but as we're getting closer to Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the first important telecommunications trade fair of 2014, we suspect more info will leak.

Some of these new Xperia models might be officially unveiled only in February at Mobile World Congress 2014, so stay tuned for more on this one.

Unannounced Sony Xperia models
Image credits to Postel Indonesia

Read more »

Oppo R1 Arrives in China with 5-Inch Display and Quad-Core CPU

Chinese handset maker Oppo has just released the previously rumored R1 mid-range Android smartphone. That should be good news for Android enthusiasts in China, but fans of Google's mobile platform will probably be disappointed that Oppo R1 is exclusive to the Mainland for now.

Oppo did not mention anything about the R1's availability outside China, but given the company's recent debut on the European market, we expect the smartphone will soon go on sale in other countries as well. According to Phonearena, customers in China can purchase the Oppo R1 for only 2,500 yuan outright, which is about $410 or €300. Keep in mind the Oppo R1 ships with Color OS, which is Oppo's take on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system. Aside from that the Oppo R1 doesn't bring anything out of the ordinary, but it's still a solid choice for Android fans. Hardware-wise, the R1 comes equipped with a 1.3 GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6582 processor, 1GB of RAM and only 16GB of RAM.

The 16GB of RAM would be quite enough if the phone would be packing a microSD card slot for memory expansion, but, sadly, it lacks the functionality. In terms of design, the Oppo R1 is quite the looker. The smartphone measures 142.7 x 70.4 x 7.1mm and weighs 140g (battery included). It draws energy from a high-capacity 2,410 mAh Li-Ion battery, which has yet to be rated by the manufacturer. We have yet to receive confirmation that the battery included in the R1 is non-removable. On the back, Oppo R1 sports an enhanced 8-megapixel photo snapper with autofocus, LED flash and a wide F/2.0 aperture. Another strong point of the device is the 5-inch HD (720p) IPS capacitive touchscreen display that supports 294ppi (pixel density). Potential customers who wish to grab the R1 can order one from Oppo's official Chinese webstore beginning today.

Oppo R1
Image credits to Oppo

Read more »

Nokia Moneypenny First Screenshot Shows Dual-SIM Windows Phone Features

Nokia Moneypenny leaked several weeks ago, along with the Finnish company's upcoming lineup of smartphones and feature phones. However, unlike its unannounced siblings the Moneypenny is really a special device.

According to @evleaks, Nokia Moneypenny will be the company's first Windows Phone handset to offer dual-SIM functionality, probably featuring full active (DSFA) support. Full active support or DSFA is a special dual-SIM feature that allows both SIM cards inside the smartphone to be active at the same time. This means users will be able to switch between calls when they need it. Moreover, these phones pack two built-in transceivers, which means one of the SIM cards will support both 2G and 3G, while the other one will only be compatible with 2G connectivity.

The first screenshot of the alleged Nokia Moneypenny has just popped up online, courtesy to @evleaks, and show the smartphone may indeed feature full active dual-SIM support. Another interesting fact the screesnhot from the Moneypenny proves is the smartphone's display features FWVGA resolution (854 x 480 pixels), which is not officially supported in Windows Phone 8, but word is this will particular resolution will be featured in Windows Phone 8.1. The extra 0.54 pixels in length might be exactly what's needed for the on-screen buttons the Nokia Moneypenny is rumored to feature.

Aside from the fact that Nokia Moneypenny will come with dual-SIM functionality featuring full active support, the smartphone will also integrate two separate phone and SMS apps, as shown in the picture leaked. Little is known about Moneypenny's hardware specs for the moment, but we suspect the smartphone will be announce in Q 2014 at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) or Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade fairs. The latest hearsay also point to the fact the Moneypenny will be launched on the market as Nokia Lumia 630 or 635, depending on region. Stay tuned for more updates on the matter.

Nokia Moneypenny screenshot
Image credits to @evleaks

Read more »

Nokia 808 PureView Gets Unofficial Belle Feature Pack 3 (CFW) Update

Nokia 808 PureView is world’s first smartphone to boast a 41-megapixel photo snapper featuring Nokia’s innovative imaging technology. The handset was officially introduced back in February 2012 at Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade fair, and went on sale several months later.

The 808 PureView is powered by Nokia Belle OS, which has been improved soon after the smartphone hit shelves with a few updates that increased its functionality. Well, it looks like those who currently own the 808 PureView expect even more feature to come their way, which is why developer Marcus Nägelle compiled lots of new features into a brand new firmware that’s called “Belle Feature Pack 3.” According to AllAboutSymbian, the custom ROM is available for Nokia 808 PureView in both English and German, but we do not recommend flashing it if you don’t know how to do it. Check out below some of the main features included in this ROM:

• Editable Equalizer (long click on the sound profile to edit);
• Edit ID3 tags possible;
• Possibility to create own subfolders;
• Symbian Anna notification Widget;
• Possibility to install unsigned programs;
• Theme effects can be disabled or install custom theme effects;
• PopUps can be turned off;
• Browser agent (it can be located via the Nokia browser “pretend to be using an Google Chrome, iP4 or a Firefox browser on the Internet” to get optimized or the desktop version);
• Voice recorder mod: 720min recording @256 kbps, stereo;
• Build in all new FW updates;
• Symbian Anna email Widget;
• Camera menu: maximum possible resolutions 41MP (full resolution) & increased 12MP (PureView), compression quality from 85 to 95% in all resolutions;
• Medium white menu button lights up red during the charging process, flashing when battery full;
• N8 Photo editor built in;
• FM transmitter sends per RDS “Nokia808;”
• Additional widget “Watch with profile display/selection” (much like in Symbian Anna);
• Transparent profiles, weather & radio Widget;
• Additional small Music Player Widget (3 sizes);
• Script and writing languages: German, English (+ Russian keyboard).

For the full list of new features and improvements included in Belle Feature Pack 3 CFW for Nokia 808 PureView, head over to the original thread.

Nokia 808 Pureview
Image Credits to GSMArena

Read more »